STC on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration

Hon. Neal Rijkenberg, Minister of Finance, Kingdom of Eswatini and the Chairperson of the STC bureau,
Honorable Ministers of Finance Present,
Distinguished Representatives of Central Banks and Debt Management Offices,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

HON. ENOCH GODONGWA-NA, MINISTER FOR FINANCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA,

HON. NEAL RIJKENBERG, CHAIR OF THE STC BUREAU & MINISTER FOR FINANCE OF THE KINGDOM OF ESWATINI,

HONOURABLE MINISTERS OF FINANCE, ECONOMIC PLANNING AND INTEGRATION, AND HEALTH,

MY DEAR SISTER, EXCELLENCY FRANCISCA BELOBE, COMMISSIONER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TRADE, TOURISM, INDUSTRY AND MINERALS,

EXCELLENCIES, DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS, DELEGATES,

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

Honourable Ministers, Distinguished Delegates, Excellencies,

I am honoured to address you at this critical session on Health Financing. Health is the cornerstone of Africa’s development—driving productivity, resilience, and inclusive growth. Yet financing for health remains fragile, fragmented, and too often impeded by volatility and out-of-pocket burdens. Today, I present a focused, implementable path for strengthening health financing across our continent, anchored in ATIDI’s instruments and collaborative action with AU member states and our wider alliance.

Excellencies,
Honourable Ministers,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. It is my honour to address this 8th Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration, a key organ of our Union entrusted with advancing the continent’s economic integration, strengthening macroeconomic stability and shaping policies that drive sustainable development across Africa. I would like to thank the AUC for successfully convening this important session.